New Delhi : In the aftermath of the deadly missile attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that claimed the life of an Indian seafarer and left several others injured, the Centre has announced a comprehensive “Seafarer-First” initiative aimed at strengthening the safety and welfare of Indian crew members operating in high-risk maritime regions across West Asia.

The decision comes after Indian seafarer Rohan Kumar was killed and multiple Indian nationals were injured when two Emirati oil tankers came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the security of thousands of Indian seafarers working aboard international merchant vessels in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the government will adopt a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to monitor, assist and protect every Indian seafarer sailing through the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, irrespective of the vessel’s ownership or flag.

As part of the new initiative, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has been directed to establish a real-time monitoring system that will track Indian crew members operating in conflict-affected waters. The digital dashboard will provide live information on vessel movements, ownership details, cargo, crew strength, voyage plans, welfare status, next port of call, threat assessments and emergency support mechanisms.

The move follows the attacks on oil tankers MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, which together had 30 Indian seafarers on board. One Indian crew member lost his life, while another sustained injuries aboard MT Al Bahiyah. Nine Indians on MT Mombasa were also injured, with two reported to be in critical condition.

Following a high-level review meeting involving the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Navy, the Directorate General of Shipping and Indian missions in Iran and Oman, the government ordered round-the-clock coordination among all concerned agencies to ensure swift assistance to affected seafarers.

The Centre has also announced that every affected Indian seafarer and their family will be assigned a dedicated liaison officer to facilitate medical updates, documentation, compensation claims, pending wages, welfare assistance and repatriation. In addition, a 24×7 grievance redressal system has been activated through toll-free helplines, WhatsApp and email to provide immediate support.

Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased seafarer, Sonowal strongly condemned the attacks on civilian merchant ships, calling them a violation of international maritime law that puts innocent seafarers and global trade at risk. He reiterated that India remains committed to extending every possible assistance to affected families while working closely with international maritime organisations and foreign governments to improve security in the region.

The government has also directed shipowners, vessel managers and recruitment agencies to ensure that Indian crew members are not required to sail through conflict zones without proper security assessments, adequate information and necessary safety measures. Every vessel planning to transit through the region has been instructed to conduct a fresh threat assessment in consultation with maritime authorities before continuing its voyage.

Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment, Sonowal said the government’s response would remain firmly focused on a “Seafarer-First” approach, ensuring the protection of Indian seafarers while supporting the uninterrupted flow of global maritime trade.